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Pub keeps licence after serving drunk mum who left toddler in bar

A HAMPSHIRE pub has kept its licence – despite serving a drunken mum who later abandoned her three-year-old child in the bar.

The Glen in Butts Ash Lane, Hythe, also failed a police check by selling alcohol to a 15-year-old girl and a boy who had only just turned 17.

The two incidents were examined at a meeting of the district council’s licensing sub-committee yesterday.

Members had the power to suspend or revoke The Glen’s licence but heard that the pub had already implemented improvements sought by police, including extra staff training, a new CCTV system and a Challenge 25 policy.

A report to the sub-committee said a barmaid had continued to serve the mother and her partner, even though they were clearly drunk.

The mother eventually stormed out of the pub after the couple had a row. The partner was later arrested by police and taken away, leaving the little girl being looked after by strangers, the report said.

The pub is run by Craig Bannister and Hannah Stone, who is the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

The report said the DPS was issued with a fixed penalty notice for authorising the sale of alcohol to a person who was drunk, while the mother received a caution for being drunk in charge of a child.

PC John Harris told councillors that police had arranged for a family member to collect the girl from the pub.

Mr Bannister said that the outcome of a test purchase operation carried out by police on May 3 resulted from a lapse of concentration.

“We have never knowingly sold alcohol to anyone who was under-age,” he said.

PC Harris said there had already been a “marked improvement” in the way the pub was being run.

The sub-committee also heard from retired police officer and ex-licensee Malcolm Slaughter, who said: “Craig and Hannah run a tight ship.”

Other evidence included a letter from Arthur Prouse, of Ashleigh Close, Hythe, who has been using The Glen, formerly Gleneagles, since 1979.

The letter said: “I have seen many landlords/managers over the years and can honestly say that the incumbent management team is as good as I have seen anywhere.”

The sub-committee welcomed the changes made by the pub since the two incidents and decided to take no further action.

After the hearing Mr Bannister and Miss Stone said they were glad the matter had been resolved but declined to make any further comment.